Bellary: A day after cracking the whip against two MPs loyal to the Reddy brothers, ruling BJP in Karnataka on Saturday suspended four legislators of their camp for alleged anti-party activities.

Three MLAs and an MLC faced the action for defying the party and continuing to campaign for the close associate of Reddy brothers, B Sreeramulu, who is seeking re-election as an Independent in the November 30 bypoll to Bellary Rural segment.

BJP had issued showcause notices to the four on Friday, asking them to reply within three days, but in a late night move, decided to suspend them. The party had suspended its Lok Sabha members, J Shantha (Bellary ST), sister of Sreeramulu and Sanna Fakirappa (Raichur).

Unfazed by suspension, Shanta told reporters she did not attach any importance to the party action and would continue to campaign for Sreeramulu.

Sreeramulu, a trusted lieutenant of mining barons Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy, quit assembly membership after he was denied a ministerial berth following his indictment along with the Reddy brothers in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

Janardhana Reddy is lodged in a Hyderabad jail after being arrested by CBI in an illegal mining case.

The powerful Reddy brothers from mine-rich Bellary district had launched an oust-Yeddyurappa campaign when the BJP strongman was Chief Minister.

Yeddyurappa survived their onslaught but the Lokayukta report on illegal mining indicting him cost him his chair.